Goal: Urge authorities to press charges against the handler and circus involved in elephant abuse case.

Two eyewitnesses claim that a circus handler beat an elephant with a brutal, sharp stick. A witness claims in a written statement, made under oath, that the handler “whacked” the elephant with a sharp stick until the injured animal screamed in agony. The Toledo Area Humane Society has the authority to press charges against the circus handler. Yet, it refuses to pursue justice for the elephant.

According to PETA, on August 8, at the Kelly Miller Circus in Ohio, a handler attacked the elephant with a stick that had a hook on the end. This “bull hook” is usually used to “intimidate” elephants. The witness testifies in writing that the handler hit the elephant so hard that she heard a “whack” sound. The elephant screamed in pain.

Ohio law provides that the Toledo Area Humane Society has the authority to pursue the elephant abuse case. Furthermore, Ohio law forbids beating animals and the use of “electric or other prods, or similar devices” on animals who are “performing… in any… circus.” The Toledo Humane Society, however, has rejected all pleas to investigate the beating.

In addition to the sworn statements, PETA has also provided the Toledo Humane Society with police report that the citizen filed and authenticated photographs of the suspect. The Toledo Humane Society still refuses to pursue the case.

By signing the petition below you demand that the Toledo Humane Society use its statutory authority to press charges on behalf of the helpless elephant. This petition will urge the Toledo Humane Society to embrace its responsibility to protect abused animals.

PETITION LETTER

Dear Toledo Humane Society:

Two eyewitnesses claim that a handler beat an elephant with a brutal, sharp stick at the Kelly Miller Circus in Point Place, Ohio. One witness claims in the written statement, made under oath, that the handler “whacked” the elephant with a sharp stick until the animal screamed in agony. The Toledo Area Humane Society has the authority to press charges against the handler. Yet, your organization refuses to pursue justice for the elephant.

In addition to the sworn statements, PETA has provided your organization with a police report that the citizen filed and authenticated photographs. The Toledo Humane Society still refuses to pursue the case.

We demand that the Toledo Area Humane Society embrace its responsibility to protect animals. We urge your organization to use its statutory authority to pursue justice for the helpless elephant.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo credit: Flickr via DearPioneer

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10 Comments

It would be great if circuses didn’t use animals at all. Surely they can entertain kids with their human acrobatics, magic tricks and comedy rather than having an elephant stand on it’s hind legs or a tiger jump thru a hoop.

You have no heart, ethics, morals or honor if you allow this to happen. By allowing it you’re assisting in horrific, barbaric actions that deserves the same.

Its why I don’t support circuses or anything that supports them. They don’t need animals to draw a crowd and they certainly don’t need to treat them is such a horrid, despicable, inhumane way to make $ or draw a crowd. We need to start treating the abusers as they treat the animals wherever, whenever…let them experience how it feels.

I think all circus should have to stop using performing animals. I will not got to a circus that uses animals for their profit.
My son called and asked me about going to see a circus that included animals, if it was alright. I told him no not to go because they all abuse their animals. He agreed and did not go to see this circus.

Animals do no belong in circuses. Elephants particularly are intelligent sentient creatures. I have watched some You Tube footage on how circus elephants are “trained” and it is truly horrific. You are called the Toledo Humane Society – I suggest you do the job your name implies and get justice for this poor creature.

shut down the circus. shut them all down. it’s time to stop this abuse for profit in zoos that torment animals forced to be confined in alien spaces to slow death deprived of room to roam and be how they were intended to live.

shut them down , and prosecute all the misfit cowards who hurt them now

shut down the circus. shut them all down. it’s time to stop this abuse for profit in zoos that torment animals forced to be confined in alien spaces to slow death deprived of room to roam and be how they were intended to live.

shut them down , and prosecute all the misfit cowards who hurt them now

So, who has authority over the Toledo, Ohio Humane Society? Why aren’t they doing THEIR job, and firing all Humane Society personnel who are aware of this abuse and doing nothing?

When I was working, if I didn’t do my job, I would have been demoted to a lesser job that was better suited to my obvious ineptitude, probably with less pay, or fired. Simple as that.

So, why is this Humane Society just thumbing their nose, with the obvious support of the city authorities and citizens? Even after world-wide exposure, they are doing nothing. It is totally true that I do not have all of the facts; if I did, I may reach a different conclusion about some of the nuances of the situation. But, one fact is clear: an animal is being abused. That is WRONG and illegal.

I would be willing to bet, that something very wrong is going on behind the scenes. I would bet even more money that something illegal is going on. And, if a thorough investigation were done, I bet $$$$ would be at the bottom of it.

Now, the question is, do any of the authorities have the courage and the character to do something about it? Do they have enough heart and compassion to protect an innocent animal? Maybe they should reacquaint themselves about the statistics on serial killers – their abusive ways started with animal abuse.

“Never, never be afraid to do what’s right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society’s punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.